Investigation of Two Prehistoric Habitation Sites on Santa Cruz Island

The proposed project entails test excavation at two prehistoric habitation sites within the interior of the island to acquire data concerning the chronology of their occupation and the kinds of food remains preserved. These data will be used to address a series of research questions concerning subsistence and settlement patterns during the period between 6300 and 5300 years ago. The research results will relate to a larger-scale project at two coastal sites Im planning to undertake with extramural funding, and it would also serve as a basis for a future research project focused on occupation of the islands interior.